Problem

I get return loss simulation results that I do not understand when I use the NEG2 element in my MWO schematic.

Version and Product

All Versions

Microwave Office

Summary

Attenuators have been used in real laboratory environments to avoid burning out the devices under test for high power measurements. To properly characterize the device alone, one needs to remove the effect of the attenuators and this process is not trivial. Customers have tried to do this in AWRDE using the NEG2 element and the results often do not make sense, especially for return loss measurements. A simple example is included in the Downloads section of this article and demonstrates that because the attenuators are lossy, this is not the proper way to solve the problem. Another example in Related Articles demonstrates a proper application of the NEG2 element.